2nd day in Paris. Bill woke up and headed to the conference. I was lucky enough to have a slow wake up and walk down to the amazing breakfast spread that was available. I was in HEAVEN. I started with this.
delicious scrambled eggs with veggies. can't beat a great breakfast. I was seriously delighted to have a comfortable hotel to hang it. i didn't want to leave!
When Bill returned from the conference around 11:30 (he really wasn't gone much - ha). We headed out for our Secret Food Tour in the Marais neighborhood. It was about a 3 hour tour with a small group - 6 or so of us.
Our tour guide was raised in the neighborhood and was a wealth of knowledge.
our first stop was a cafe to have an espresso and the best croissant around.
Next stop was to get a proper baguette.
Then we headed to a fantastic outdoor market. We cruised around for awhile while our guide put together a cheese and wine spread.
She walked us through the various cheeses and it was delicious and fun to be carefully walked through all the different choices.
in this area she got us the best falafals I have ever tasted.
The last main food stop was for the Croque Monsieur. Don't worry - we didn't get eat full servings at all the restaurants - we had small servings and it was just perfect.
Last stop - Edwart Chocolatier.
we stood in lines and walked up to Edwart and he would ask us a question and then he would respond and give us a small chocolate that fit however we answered the question.
Example: where are you from? I answered Wisconsin - he gave me a milk chocolate with something fancy in it that I can't remember anymore.
Bill had a special Japanese whiskey flavored dark chocolate.
When the tour wrapped up - I was tired! Bill wanted to go through the Picasso Museum and I dream squashed that and we opted to sit in the Picasso Museum and have some water and relax.
In the inner courtyard of the Picasso Museum.
walking around - slowly making our way back to our hotel.
to some that would be a full day - but in Bill's vacation mode - we had a full itinerary for the evening too. Bill crashed for a bit before our second part of the day.
We headed out around 5 to start our evening activities. This cool courtyard was right next to our hotel.
we had walked past this cafe many times so decided to stop and have a glass of wine before our concert.
the one thing I really hated about Paris and had sort of forgotten about since the last time I was there was the SMOKING! People smoke constantly! It is insane. They literally exist on espresso, wine and cigarettes. if you are sitting outside you will be surrounded by smoke.
in line at Saint Chapelle for a Vivaldi Four Seasons Strings concert! Bill was so on this when he was researching for our trip. He found this and booked it. So many people in line were turned away because they didn't have tickets.
It was hot, but it was incredible!
Bill had reservations at a great restaurant. We walked in at 9pm and were definitely ready to eat!
mmm - bread and wine - my diet for the trip
this vegetarian dinner was one of the best I have ever had.
End of the second day! It was like 11:30pm and we were back at our hotel!
